September 2026 - Joy in Serving
While much of the work we do is serious, the chaplains continue to bring joy and hope to every circumstance. We thought you might enjoy seeing the Rochester Police Chaplains having fun during the most recent Family Academy.
Pictured above (left to right): Salt & Light Chaplains
Reimer, Cape, Kyeremeh, Molina, and Beech
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
August 2026 -Active Shooter Exercise
Your chaplains train for something we hope will never happen. This month we worked with law enforcement, emergency medical services, school officials, and elected leaders to protect innocent life in the case of a school shooting. These exercises are a good way for our chaplains to work alongside our first responders in a proactive way. We are honored to be integral to their disaster response plans.
Pictured above (left to right): Salt & Light Chaplains Smith, Johnson, Orth, Kyeremeh, Mannenbach, Beech, Cape, Munnis and Molina
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
July 2026 -There is a new Chief in Town!
We are thrilled to welcome Chief Mike Hartman as the new police chief in Austin!
Chief Hartman has been with the department for 17 years and steps into the position as Chief Dave McKichan retires this month.
Welcome, Chief Hartman!
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
May 2026 -Serving Those Who Serve
Each year the Blue Line Buffet is a welcome opportunity to serve a meal to our first responder families. While we often serve our first responders at work, this is a great chance to bring together our law enforcement families for an evening of fellowship and fun.
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
April 2026 - He is Risen!
As we celebrate this Easter Sunday, we are so thankful for Jesus's sacrifice on the cross and his glorious resurrection that give us a hope that surpasses all understanding.
May you and yours be blessed this Easter Season!
Wow! The gala was a great success! Thank you to everyone who attended, gave generously, and supported this mission! We were thrilled to have a sold out crowd once again and to host an evening to honor our first responders while also sharing the mission of Salt & Light Partners.
We are especially grateful to our sponsors and donors who made the event possible!
Mark your calendars now for March 12th, 2027, and join us for this annual celebration. Tickets will go on sale December 1st, 2026!
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
January 2026-A Word of Encouragement
Law enforcement in Minnesota is not easy right now.
The weight is real. The scrutiny is constant.
The cost—often unseen—is high.
And yet, our officers put on the uniform each day because they chose to serve and protect their neighbors. They stand watch while most of the city sleeps. They step toward danger so others can go home safe.
Today is a new day.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22–23
We are grateful for those who continue to serve with integrity, courage, and resolve, even when the road is difficult. May this new day bring renewed strength, wisdom, and protection to every officer and their families.
We see you. We support you. We pray for you as you enter this new year of service to our community.
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
December 2025 -Merry Christmas!
This Christmas, we pause with grateful hearts to thank our first responders—those who stand watch in the dark hours, run toward danger, and serve with courage when others cannot. Their dedication reflects a light of hope and compassion in our communities.
At the heart of Christmas is an even greater Light. In the humble birth of Jesus Christ, God entered our world, bringing hope to the weary, peace to the troubled, and light to those walking in darkness. As Scripture reminds us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
May the Light of Christ shine brightly in your hearts and homes this season, guiding us all toward love, service, and peace.
October 2025 - Fall Celebrations
Lead RPD Chaplain Kwasi Kyeremeh and Lead OCSO Chaplain Larry Orth were honored to attend in support and give the benediction for the dedication of the new Law Enforcement Memorial at Soldiers Field.
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
August 2025 - Congratulations!
Congratulations to Cpt Hodgeman (center front) who is the first female Captain in RPD! Pictured with her are the new class of recruits at RPD as well as the RPD chaplains.
RPD always honors its officers well. Thanks to Chaplain Kwasi Kyeremeh for the invocation and Chaplain Adam Molina for the amazing food!(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
July 2025 - We are Celebrating!
Thank you!
We are celebrating! In June, we received our largest donation yet in the history of Salt & Light Partners!
We are so grateful for the leadership at Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union to include Mary Hansen, Sue Palen, and Steve Flage, who graciously submitted Salt & Light for a match grant with Federal Home Loan Bank, Des Moines (FHLB). This funding will go a very long way in allowing us to support our first responders and their families.
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
June 2025-Celebrating National Police Week With Double The Fun!
Once again we had a great turn out for our Blue Line Buffets! Yes you read that right - for the first time ever - we hosted one in Rochester and a second in Austin.
We are so excited to be expanding our support for first responder families into our new locations. Next year we anticipate three events when we add Winona to the Blue Line Buffet extravaganza!
From face painting, to bounce houses, to smiling volunteers, and happy families - the evenings were a great success.
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
May 2025 - Spreading Joy
International Firefighter's Day
We were honored to be part of the many events held on May 4th for the annual International Firefighters Day.
Executive Director George Beech gave the invocation, benediction, and said the Fallen Firefighter's Prayer. He was also part of the color guard that kicked off the day at Station 1.
Chaplain Todd Looney provided the prayer at the the Silver Lake Memorial and helped lay the flowers for the fallen Rochester Firefighters.
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
March 2025 - That’s a Wrap!
We were delighted to have such an amazing turnout for our 3rd annual Heart for Heroes Gala. Those of you who were at the Gala know just how impactful the panel discussion was that evening. It provided a window into the support we provide to our first responders and the communities they serve.
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
Feb 2025 - Plunging Ahead!
We are (literally!) plunging into 2025 as we prepare once again to have our FROGs and Chaplains team up for the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge.
This is a cause near and dear to our Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, and so we are honored to support their efforts. The team will be plunging this Saturday - so keep them in prayer as they jump into the frigid waters!
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
Under Two Minutes
That is how long it takes a fire truck to be deployed...and also how long it will take for you to send an end-of-year donation to Salt & Light Partners!
Please consider us in your end-of-year giving to help us continue to support our first responders in SE MN. Every donation helps, and we are incredibly grateful for each of you who choose to partner with us in this mission. Thank you!
(Please note - this blog post was originally released as a newsletter with photos. The photos are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe on our website for monthly updates with the photos.)
CISM - An Extra Mission of Salt & Light Partners
Crisis Incident Stress Management training for chaplains and local first responders took place in August of 2023. Since then, Salt and Light Partners has served numerous businesses and organizations in response to a critical incident that took place by offering CISM services with care and compassion.
Rochester Area Foundation Spotlight
Salt & Light Partners chaplains bring a sense of calm to the emergency scene, and upon arrival they quickly assess who needs critical support in the midst of chaos.
Building Relationships
In today’s world, there is a growing realization of the difficulty and trauma our first responders are experiencing and how it affects their personal lives. Thankfully, a focus-driven organization such as Salt & Light Partners exists—a motivated group with a mantra of “Serving those who serve us.”
The Face of a Chaplain
Pastor Kwasi Kyeremeh has been serving as a Salt & Light Chaplain since August of 2021. He comes highly qualified as an ordained minister of the Gospel and experienced Biblical counselor through Compassion Counseling in Rochester, MN. He has been a caring confidant for officers and staff at the Rochester Police Department, their families, and the citizens with whom the officers come in contact.
A Thread of Hope
July Newsletter
Hope. We have said from the beginning that we wanted to be a thread of hope in the fabric of our community. Where there is fear, we want to bring courage. Where there is grief, we want to bring comfort. And where there is despair, we want to bring hope. Every day we bring hope to the first responders we serve, their families, and the citizens with whom the first responders interact. It is a joy to serve those who serve!
(This post is a reprint of our monthly newsletter, which included photos of our partners and work. Send us an email if you would like to be on the mailing list)